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Giddins sparkles for Eastbourne

Former England paceman Ed Giddins bowled Eastbourne to just their second victory of the season allowing the Saffrons club to sit just 13 points below their opponents Bexhill with a game in hand.

On a Saturday that proved to be one of the worst ever days for abandoned games in the Sussex League, the Premier League game between the relegation candidates was one that may well have set a few alarm bells ringing for East Grinstead and Brighton and Hove who are the two clubs immediately above.

The game was played to 100 overs rules and after being put in, Eastbourne moved to 224 for nine declared with 69 from skipper Mark Tomsett, 47 from Sussex wicketkeeper Ben Brown and 26 each from Aaron Mullins and Matt Cooke.

For Bexhill their teenage spinners were the pick of the bowlers, Calum Guest took 3-59 and Jamie Bristow-Diamond 2-47.

Bexhill then had to contend with several weather interruptions and also two overs reductions in their chase for the runs, not to mention the skills of Giddins.

They were eventually bowled out for 91 with the former England man taking 7-27 including one spell of five wickets in 12 balls for no runs!

Andrew Harriot was top scorer for Bexhill, he made 34. There was a dogged 21 not out from Tim Hambridge and also 21 from skipper Mal Johnson.

A start was possible at Brighton and Hove where visitors East Grinstead were in trouble at 21 for three when rain brought an end to the game.

At Hastings the home side were put in by Horsham and reached 227 for six from 46 overs with Kirk Wernars hitting 87 not out. David Draper made 33 and Toby Finzel 32 as Michael Munday, for Horsham, took 5-71.